All eyes on Kenyatta, but what about the victims and the ICC?

As President Uhuru Kenyatta heads to his status conference with the ICC in The Hague on Wednesday 8 October, the online community is having a field-day discussing possible outcomes and angles concerning the Kenyan President’s alleged crimes.

Commenters on the article ‘Kenya’s President Called to The Hague with ICC Case at ‘Critical Juncture’ has put a lot of emphasis on the role of, and the justice for, the victims of the events in Kenya.

Despite having an interest in discussing the victims, there seems to be a split in what role they play for each narrative. One commenter wrote: ”Please let Uhuru carry his own cross and let the world consider the plight of the victims to ensure that justice should not only be done but seen to be done.”

But not all commenters believe that Kenyatta should ”carry his own cross”. Instead, some argue he has been sacrificed to protect the real culprits. ”I pity the victims. The real culprits who engineered the bloodshed have been left free while Uhuru has been sacrificed for political reasons,” said one of the comments.

With the focus on the victims, there were comments that looked at what might be at stake for the ICC and its reputation if it were to throw out the Kenyatta case: ”Is the world really seeing how impunity in this small African state, Kenya, is vexing the mighty ICC?”

No matter what the decision will be, the online community will have a lot to say about it.

Justice Hub is an online platform connecting conversations about international justice and peace.

Justice Hub is an online platform aimed at a worldwide audience of 18-35 year olds, especially in countries where people are looking for sustainable and innovative solutions to problems of justice, peace and security. Justice can feel too abstract, too often owned by experts. We make the conversations lively and accessible.

Retrieve your password

Login

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

×

REPUBLISHING TERMS

You may republish this article online or in print under our Creative Commons license. You may not edit or shorten the text, you must attribute the article to Aeon and you must include the author’s name in your republication.